Driving system for driving at least one auger of a snow removal device, a snow removal device provided with such a driving system, a kit for the installation of such a driving system, a method for installing such a driving system and a method for the manufacture of components or parts of the driving system

ABSTRACT

A driving system for driving at least one auger of a snow removing device comprising at least one at least one self-adjusting chain tensioner. A first portion of the driving system is positioned within an auger housing and a second portion of the driving system is positioned outside the auger housing. The roller chain is adapted to move across a third opening provided in the auger housing. The first portion is covered by a front guard to prevent snow or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said first portion. The front guard is provided with an opening adapted to surround a portion of a shaft element of the auger with a play between periphery of the opening and the periphery of a corresponding portion the shaft element. The play is either small enough to prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled with a filling element and/or covered with a sealing element secured to the front guard or the corresponding portion of the shaft element of the at least one auger, to have the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing. The second portion prevent snow or debris present around the snow removing device to contact the said second portion. A snow blower provided with the driving system, a kit comprising parts and/or components of the driving system, a method for assembling the driving system, and a method for manufacturing some components or parts of the driving system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application claims the priority of Canadian patentapplication no. 2 961 915 filed on Mar. 24, 2017, the content of whichis incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of snow removal devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a new driving system fordriving at least one auger of a snow removal devices, and also relatesto a snow removal device provided with such a driving system. Also, theinvention relates to a kit and a method for the installation of the newdriving system on a snow removal device. Also, the invention relates toa method for the manufacture of components and/or parts of the drivingsystem. Preferably, the snow removal devices may be a snow thrower or asnow blower, preferably a snow blower.

BACKGROUND

Snow blowers are well known in the art. They may be intended fordomestic, commercial or industrial uses (see FIG. 1). Also, they may beof reverse type (see FIG. 2), and/or provided with an integrated blade(see FIG. 3), etc. Also, they may be used on a carrying vehicle (e.g. afarm tractor, see FIG. 4), an articulated loader (see FIG. 5), or on acompact motorised vehicle (see FIG. 6), provided with a three-pointshitch 1, with a quick hitch 2 or any other type of hitches well known toa skilled workman, providing power to the snow blower via a transmissionshaft 3 (e.g. connected to a PTO shaft), a hydraulic power 4, etc.

A roller chain 19 is generally used as an element for the transmissionof power (see FIG. 7) between a side shaft 5 of the gear box 6 and theauger 7 of the snow blower 8. Important advantages of the roller chain19 are its resistance to impact, mounting flexibility, and configurationtolerance.

It is well known in the art that to preserve the useful life of theroller chain 19, the roller chain must be well lubricated, kept under aperfect tension and prevented to be exposed to debris and/orcontaminants (e.g. water, salts, sands, etc.). However, theserequirements are difficult to obtain with existing snow removal devices,especially snow blowers.

Indeed, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, as an example, various stylesof guards such as a front guard having a first part 12 and a second part13, used with existing snow blowers, still allow some contaminants, suchas powder snow, to pass through slots 32 and 51 and eventually somevarious larger openings of the guards. Contaminants according to theexisting art, are evacuated by the rear guard 52, by the roller chain 19projecting outside the contaminants. Also, with reference to FIG. 7,other contaminants (e.g. salts, sands, water, etc.) projected by thewheels 54 of the carrying vehicle while circulating on a road, maygather in the area 53 of the roller chain tensioner to therebycontaminate the same.

One of the biggest problem to be solved by the man skilled in the art isthe adjustment of the tension of the roller chain 19. This tension isrequired to be sufficient to keep the rollers of the roller chainapplied against the bottom of the teeth of the output gear 20 and thedriving gear 21, to prevent a premature wear of the teeth and/or theroller chain. Also, the tension applied does not have to be excessive inorder to prevent a premature elongation of the roller chain and a lostof energy.

An elongation of the roller chain 19 is a normal consequence of the useof the roller chain. However by limiting this elongation, themaintenance steps are reduced and the useful life of the roller chain,output gear and driving gear is increased. Also, when the tensioning ofthe roller chain is too high, the noise generated by the movement of theroller chain on the output gear and the driving gear, increases tothereby cause an irritant to the snow blower operator and nearbyresidents during snow removal operations.

Various systems have been developed and are still in use for applying atension to the roller chain of a snow blower, such as a singletensioning sprocket wheel 27 (see FIG. 8), a pair of tensioning sprocketwheels 28 (see FIG. 9) mounted in tandem with a spring 22, and, incertain case, a fixed sprocket wheel 9 (see FIG. 10) can be used todeviate the roller chain of various obstacles.

FIG. 8 illustrates a simple system representing the single tensioningsprocket wheel 27 which shows the advantage of being economical.However, this simple system because of its fixed mounting, has theinconvenient that its adjustment must be made with tools. Also, thissimple system does not continuously apply a tension on the roller chain.Thus, the roller chain, when worn and elongated, becomes loose and aslong as the operator does not readjust the single tensioning sprocketwheel 27, the roller chain 19, the output gear 20 and the driving gear21 will become worn quickly because the rollers are not properly appliedat the bottom of teeth of the output gear 20 and the driving gear 21.

FIG. 9 illustrates the pair of tensioning sprocket wheels 28 mounted intandem with a spring 22 which has the advantage of self-tensioning theroller chain 19 in part. However, some manual readjustments will need tobe made from time to time. The advantage of this system is that theroller chain 19 is always under tension and keeps an ideal contact withthe output gear 20 and the driving gear 21. The inconvenient is that thespring 22 applies an additional force on the roller chain. Thisadditional force varies depending the compression of the spring, andthis contributes to the elongation of the roller chain and/or generatesadditional noise, especially when the spring 22 is at its maximaladjustment position. The roller chain 19 is also be subjected to moveinto two opposite directions on the sprockets wheels 28 of the tensionerto thereby create an additional premature wear of the roller chain 19.Also, this system comprises several mobile parts that can be worn andconsequently necessitate additional lubrication. This high number ofmobile parts is hard to be perfectly aligned along the path of theroller chain, and consequently may further generates an additional riskof component damages.

FIG. 29 illustrates a tensioning system 29 for roller chain 19 that iswell known to skilled workman under the trademark «Roll-Ring» andvarious patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,926 or U.S. Pat. No.6,488,602 B1. Such a system is used in various industrial environment.However, it has never been used in a driving system for driving at leastone auger of a snow removal device (such as a snow blower) for variousreasons. This system has the advantage of applying a delicate andconstant tension on the roller chain to thereby limit the level of noiseand the elongation of the roller chain. However, this system is fragileand subjected to derailing when used in an environment containingcontaminants. Because the «Roll Ring» 29 does not have fixation meansother than the engagement of its teeth in the roller chain 19, anypresence of objects or debris between the «Roll Ring» 29 and the rollerchain 19 may cause a derailment of the «Roll Ring» 29.

It is known that when operating a snow blower a plurality of debris(snow, ice, etc.) are generated and may be inserted in the environmentof the roller chain. More particularly, powder snow can infiltrate inthe environment of the roller chain via the slots 32 and/or 51 asillustrated in FIG. 12 and create a gathering inside the parts 12 and 13of the front guards, and powder snow may eventually solidify or eventurn into ice as a result of temperature changes. All those debris, whendetaching, may move in the environment of the «Roll Ring» 29 and, ofcourse, may cause the derailing of the «Roll Ring» 29.

Therefore, there is a strong need for a solution allowing to overcomethe above-mentioned problems/inconveniences.

Also, there is a strong need for a driving system that overcome at leastin part the above-mentioned problems/inconveniences.

Also, there is a strong need for a snow removal device provided withsuch a driving system, that overcome at least in part theabove-mentioned problems/inconveniences.

Also, there is a strong need for a kit and a method for the installationof the new driving system on a snow removal device, that overcome atleast in part the above-mentioned problems/inconveniences.

Also, there is a strong need for a method for the manufacturing ofcomponents and/or parts of the above-mentioned driving system, thatovercome at least in part the above-mentioned problems/inconveniences.

Indeed, in spite of the numerous improvements and discoveries over theyears, there is still a strong need to continuously innovate and findbetter and/or different ways to commercialize snow blowers in a mannerthat is faster, simpler, more efficient, more economical, more reliable,more adjustable, more polyvalent, more adaptable, more durable, moreconscientious of the environment, more wishable, and/or improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention relates to a driving system for an auger of asnow removal device (such as a snow blower or snow thrower, preferably asnow blower, comprising such a driving system), which thanks to itsconception and modular components, satisfies with at least some of theabove-mentioned needs, and consequently defines an improvement withrespect to other snow blowers and/or related driving systems known inthe art.

The above-mentioned object is achieved, as it will be better explainedhereinafter, by a driving system for at least one auger of a snow blower(and/or a resulting blower comprising such a driving system) as brieflydescribed in the present description, and as exemplified in the encloseddrawings.

As it will be better understood, in the light of the present descriptionand drawings, the present invention relates to an original configurationof constitutive parts and/or components of a snow blower allowing tocommunicate the power originating from a gear box, etc.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a snow blowerprovided with the above-mentioned driving system for driving at leastone auger.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle provideswith the above-mentioned snow blower.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a kit of componentsintended to be assembled to form the above-mentioned new driving systemfor driving at least one auger.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a set of componentsadapted to interchange (e.g. to replace, to supply, etc.) withcomponents of the above-mentioned set of components.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method forassembling the components of the above-mentioned set or kit.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for themanufacture of any of the component making part of the above-mentioneddriving system for driving at least one auger.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method forassembling the components of the above-mentioned driving system fordriving at least one auger.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for theoperation of the above-mentioned driving system for driving at least oneauger.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a business methodrelated with a driving system as defined hereinbefore, a snow blower asdefined hereinbefore, a kit as defined hereinbefore, a set as definedhereinbefore, and/or any of the methods defined hereinbefore.

An embodiment of the invention relates to a driving system for drivingat least one auger of a snow removing device, said snow removing devicecomprising:

-   -   a frame    -   an auger housing supported on the frame or being part of the        frame, and comprising a first opening defining a front opening,        a second opening defining a rear opening, a first lateral wall        and a second lateral wall;    -   an auger comprising a shaft element having opposite ends which        are respectively rotatably supported by the first lateral wall        and the second lateral wall;    -   means adapted for attaching the frame to a vehicle; and    -   the driving system for driving the at least one auger, said        driving system for driving the at least one auger comprising        -   at least one driving gear rotatably supported by the frame;        -   at least one output gear mounted on the shaft element of the            at least one auger, close one of the first lateral wall of            the auger housing;        -   a roller chain linking the at least one driving gear and the            at least one output gear; and        -   at least one means for tensioning the roller chain            comprising at least one self-adjusting chain tensioner;    -   wherein a first portion of the driving system for driving the at        least one auger is positioned within the auger housing and a        second portion of the driving system for driving the at least        one auger is positioned outside the auger housing,    -   wherein the roller chain is adapted to move across a third        opening provided in the auger housing;    -   wherein the first portion is covered by a front guard secured to        the first lateral wall and forming with the first lateral wall a        first casing adapted to prevent snow or debris contained in the        auger housing to contact said first portion;    -   wherein the front guard is provided with at least one opening        adapted to surround a portion of the shaft element of the at        least one auger with a play between periphery of the at least        one opening and the periphery of a corresponding portion the        corresponding shaft element,    -   wherein the play is either small enough to prevent water and or        debris to enter the first casing, or filled with a filling        element and/or covered with a sealing element secured to the        front guard or the corresponding portion of the shaft element of        the at least one auger, to have the play small enough to prevent        water and/or debris to enter the first casing; and    -   wherein the second portion is covered by at least one rear guard        forming a casing secured to the frame and/or the auger housing,        and adapted to prevent snow or debris present around the snow        removing device to contact the said second portion.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blowerfurther provided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan elementpositioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by theblower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fanelement.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensionercomprises at least one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the at least one means for tensioning theroller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the filing element comprises a two-partmember adapted to be secured around the portion of the shaft element ofthe at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at leastone opening of the front guard,

-   -   wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to        fit with the outer surface of the shaft element of the at least        one auger, and has an outer periphery adapted to be housed in        the at least one opening of the front guard; and    -   wherein either a play between said outer surface and the        periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is        small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first        casing, or the play is covered by at least one sealing element        that reduce the play to a size small enough to prevent water        and/or debris to enter the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the sealing element is made of flexibleelastomeric material, and secured to the first guard. Preferably, theelastomeric material can be fastened to the first part and/or the secondpart by any appropriate fastening means, such as mechanical fasteners,adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the front guard comprises:

-   -   a first part provided with a front edge having at least one        first recess,    -   a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one        second recess,    -   the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess        forming, when the front edge and the rear edge are closed to        each other, the at least one opening adapted to surround the        shaft element of the at least one auger;    -   and wherein the front edge and the rear edge are close enough to        define a play therebetween that is either small enough to        prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled        and/or covered with a sealing element secured to any one of the        first part or the second part to have the play small enough to        prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the sealing element between the first partand the second part is made of a flexible elastomeric material.Preferably, the elastomeric material can be fastened to the first partand/or the second part by any appropriate fastening means, such asmechanical fasteners, adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the driving systemdefined hereinabove, wherein the rear guard comprises at least twodistinct parts, that is a main part and secondary part that can beremovably fastened to the main part. Preferably, the secondary part isremovably fastened to the main part with at least one two-part fastener,such as for example a two-part fastener comprising a tongue and a notch.More preferably, a plurality of two-part fasteners can be used.Additionally, at least one of the two-part fastener may be furtherprovided with a lock system.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a snow removing devicecomprising:

-   -   a frame    -   an auger housing supported on the frame and comprising a first        opening defining a front opening, a second opening defining a        rear opening, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall;    -   at least one auger comprising a shaft element having opposite        ends which are respectively rotatably supported by the first        lateral wall and the second lateral wall;    -   and    -   a driving system for driving the at least one auger,    -   wherein said driving system for driving the auger is as defined        hereinabove.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blowerfurther provided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan elementpositioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by theblower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fanelement.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensionercomprises at least one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the at least one means for tensioning theroller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the filing element comprises a two-partmember adapted to be secured around the portion of the shaft element ofthe at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at leastone opening of the front guard,

-   -   wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to        fit an outer surface of the shaft element of the at least one        auger, and an outer cylindrical periphery adapted to be housed        in the at least one opening of the guard cover; and    -   wherein either a play between said outer surface and the        periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is        small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first        casing, or the play is covered by at least one sealing element        that reduce the play to a size small enough to prevent water        and/or debris to enter the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the sealing element is made of flexibleelastomeric material, and secured to the front guard. Preferably, theelastomeric material can be fastened to the first part and/or the secondpart by any appropriate fastening means, such as mechanical fasteners,adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the front cover comprises:

-   -   a first part provided with a front edge having at least one        first recess,    -   a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one        second recess,    -   the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess        forming, when the front edge and the rear edge are closed to        each other, the at least one opening adapted to surround the        shaft element of the at least one auger;    -   and wherein the front edge and the rear edge are close enough to        define a play therebetween that is either small enough to        prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled        with a filling element and/or covered with a sealing element        secured to any one of the first part or the second part to have        the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter        the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the sealing element between the first partand the second part is made of a flexible elastomeric material.Preferably, the elastomeric material can be fastened to the first partand/or the second part by any appropriate fastening means, such asmechanical fasteners, adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the snow removing devicedefined hereinabove, wherein the rear guard comprises at least twodistinct parts, that is a main part and secondary part that can beremovably fastened to the main part. Preferably, the secondary part isremovably fastened to the main part with at least one two-part fastener,such as for example a two-part fastener comprising a tongue and a notch.More preferably, a plurality of two-part fasteners can be used.Additionally, at least one of the two-part fastener may be furtherprovided with a lock system.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a kit for theinstallation of a driving system as defined hereinabove, wherein saidkit comprises:

-   -   at least one driving gear adapted to be rotatably supported by        the frame and/or the auger housing;    -   at least one output gear adapted to be mounted on the shaft        element of the at least one auger;    -   a roller chain linking for the linking of the at least one        driving gear and the at least one output gear; and    -   at least one means for the tensioning the roller chain        comprising at least one self-adjusting chain tensioner;    -   a front guard adapted to be secured to the first lateral wall to        form with the first lateral wall a first casing to prevent snow        or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said first        portion;    -   a rear guard adapted to be secured to the frame and/or the auger        housing to prevent snow or debris present around the snow        removing device to contact the said second portion; and    -   optionally a notice of instruction.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blower furtherprovided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan elementpositioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by theblower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fanelement.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensioner comprises atleast one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, wherein the at least one means for the tensioning theroller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, further comprising a filling element comprising a two-partmember adapted to be secured around the portion of the shaft element ofthe at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at leastone opening of the front guard,

-   -   wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to        fit an outer surface of the shaft element of the at least one        auger, and an outer cylindrical periphery adapted to be housed        in the at least one opening of the guard cover; and    -   wherein either a play between said outer surface and the        periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is        small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first        casing, or the play is covered by at least one sealing element        that reduce the play to a size small enough to prevent water        and/or debris to enter the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, further comprising a sealing element is made of flexibleelastomeric material, and adapted to be secured to the front guard.Preferably, the elastomeric material can be fastened to the first partand/or the second part by any appropriate fastening means, such asmechanical fasteners, adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, wherein the front guard comprises:

-   -   a first part provided with a front edge having at least one        first recess,    -   a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one        second recess,    -   the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess        are adapted to form, when the front edge and the rear edge are        closed to each other, the at least one opening adapted to        surround the shaft element of the at least one auger; and    -   wherein the front edge and the rear edge are close enough to        define a play therebetween that is either small enough to        prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled        with a filling element and/or covered with a sealing element        secured to any one of the first part or the second part to have        the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter        the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, wherein the sealing element between the first part and thesecond part is made of a flexible elastomeric material. element betweenthe first part and the second part is made of a flexible elastomericmaterial. Preferably, the elastomeric material can be fastened to thefirst part and/or the second part by any appropriate fastening means,such as mechanical fasteners, adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the kit definedhereinabove, wherein the rear guard comprises at least two distinctparts, that is a main part and secondary part that can be removablyfastened to the main part. Preferably, the secondary part is removablyfastened to the main part with at least one two-part fastener, such asfor example a two-part fastener comprising a tongue and a notch. Morepreferably, a plurality of two-part fasteners can be used. Additionally,at least one of the two-part fastener may be further provided with alock system.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for theinstallation of a driving system as defined hereinabove on the snowremoval device, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   rotatably mounting on the frame or the auger housing the at        least one driving gear adapted to be rotatably supported by the        frame or the auger housing;    -   mounting the at least one output gear adapted to be mounted on        the shaft element of the at least one auger;    -   installing the roller chain to link the at least one driving        gear and the at least one output gear;    -   installing the at least one means for the tensioning the roller        chain;    -   removably securing the first guard to the first lateral wall to        form with the first lateral wall the first casing to prevent        snow or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said        first portion;    -   removably securing to the frame the second guard to cover the        second portion and to prevent snow or debris present around the        snow removing device to contact the said second portion; and    -   optionally providing a third opening in the auger housing;    -   a first portion of the driving system for driving the auger        being positioned within the auger housing and a second portion        of the driving system for driving the auger being positioned        outside the auger housing,    -   the roller chain being adapted to be moved across the third        opening of the auger housing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blower furtherprovided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan elementpositioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by theblower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fanelement.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensioner comprises atleast one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, wherein the at least one means for the tensioning theroller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, further comprising a step of securing a filling elementcomprising a two-part member around the portion of the shaft element ofthe at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at leastone opening of the front guard,

-   -   wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to        fit an outer surface of the shaft element of the at least one        auger, and an outer periphery adapted to be housed in the at        least one opening of the front guard; and    -   wherein either a play between said outer surface and the        periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is        small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first        casing, or optionally the step of securing at least one sealing        element to cover the play and reduce the play to a size small        enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, further comprising a step of securing to the front guard asealing element made of flexible elastomeric material. Preferably, theelastomeric material can be fastened to the first part and/or the secondpart by any appropriate fastening means, such as mechanical fasteners,adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, wherein the front guard comprises:

-   -   a first part provided with a front edge having at least one        first recess,    -   a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one        second recess,    -   wherein the method further comprises the step of positioning the        at least one first recess and the at least one second recess to        form the at least one opening adapted to surround the shaft        element of the at least one auger; and    -   wherein the method further comprises the step of positioning the        front edge and the rear edge are close enough to define a play        therebetween that is either small enough to prevent water and or        debris to enter the first casing, or securing a sealing element        to any one of the first part or the second part to have the play        small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first        casing.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, wherein the sealing element between the first part and thesecond part is made of a flexible elastomeric material. Preferably, theelastomeric material can be fastened to the first part and/or the secondpart by any appropriate fastening means, such as mechanical fasteners,adhesive, etc.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to the method definedhereinabove, wherein the rear guard comprises at least two distinctparts, that is a main part and secondary part that can be removablyfastened to the main part. Preferably, the secondary part is removablyfastened to the main part with at least one two-part fastener, such asfor example a two-part fastener comprising a tongue and a notch. Morepreferably, a plurality of two-part fasteners can be used. Additionally,at least one of the two-part fastener may be further provided with alock system.

The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of componentsand/or parts of the driving system. More particularly, parts and of thefront guard and parts and of the rear guard can be manufactured by anyappropriate techniques, especially by folding, cutting or molding apiece of material, preferably by folding and cutting sheets of metal,preferably sheets of steel and more preferably stainless steel.

The objects, advantages, and other features of the present inventionwill become more apparent in the light of the following non-limitativedescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrated inthe enclosed drawings, and given only as possible examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 12, 30 and 31 represent various views, components and/orfeatures according to the prior art.

FIGS. 13 to 29 represent various views, components and/or features ofpossible embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments are described in the following disclosure withreference to the accompanying figures. It should be understood thatelements of these figures are not necessarily depicted to scale, sinceemphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the elements and structuresof the present embodiments.

In the following description, same numerical references refer to similarelements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely soas to not unduly burden the figures with several reference numbers, notall figures contain references to all the components and features, andreferences to some components and features may be found in only onefigure, and components and features of the present disclosure which areillustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. Theembodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/ordimensions shown in the figures are optional, and are given forexemplification purposes only.

Also, as will be explained below in relation to various embodiments, theinvention relates to driving systems for driving auger(s), snow removaldevices provided with the driving systems, kits provided with componentsand/or parts of the driving systems, methods for the installations ofsaid driving systems, and methods for the manufacture of some componentsand/or parts of the driving system, and in particular with respect tosnow blowers. However, the invention can be used in any other suitableactivities that would be obvious to persons skilled in the art.

Expressions such as «snow removal», «snow», «blower», «auger», etc., asused in the present description, and/or other references or expressionswhich are equivalent or similar to the above-mentioned expressions, donot have to be considered as limiting the scope of the present inventionand include all other object/substitute and/or other applicationaccording to which the present invention can be used or may be useful,as it would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Moreover, the expressions such as «system», «blower», «vehicle»,«device», «set», mechanism», «product», «equipment», etc. as well as anyother equivalent expressions and/or words comprising them, can be usedin an interchangeable manner in the context of the present description.This also applies to any other expressions which are mutuallyequivalent, such as «component», «tool», and «accessory», as an example,as well as «snow» and «material», or a «front» and «upstream», or «rear»and «downstream», as it would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Moreover, even if illustrated preferred embodiments comprise severalparts and/or components, all these parts and/or components are notnecessarily essential for the invention and consequently do not have tobe taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as tolimit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood thatother suitable parts and/or components and cooperation thereinbetween,as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure.

Moreover, in the context of the present description, it should beconsidered that all elongated objects implicitly have a «longitudinalaxis» and/or «a center line», such as the longitudinal axis of a rod, asan example, or the center line of a cylindrical drum, and that theexpressions such as «connected» and «adapted to be connected», or«pivoting» and «adapted to be pivoted», can be interchanged and aremutually equivalent, and that the present invention also relates to akit having corresponding parts and/or components to assembled to providea resulting snow blower which is operational when fully assembled toachieve a method and/or obtain any resulting product and/or derivate.

Furthermore, certain components of the present system and/or steps ofthe present method (e.g. for the manufacturing, the assembly, theoperation, etc.) described in the present specification can be modified,simplified, omitted and/or interchanged, without departing from thescope of the present invention, independently of particular applicationsfor which the present system is conceived and/or intended for.

Generally, the present invention, as illustrated in the encloseddrawings, relates to a new driving system for driving at least one augerof a snow blower.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a driving systemrelated to an original configuration of various parts and/or componentsof a snow blower allowing to transfer the power from a gear box to anauger, and also relates to a snow blower provided with such a system.Also, the present invention relates to snow blowers provided with such asystem, vehicles allowing to operate such snow blowers, a method for themanufacturing and assembly of these pieces, etc. More particularly, thepresent invention also relates to a kit having parts and/or componentsintended for the assembly and/or embodying the present driving system,as well as methods for the corresponding assembly, the operation anduses. Also, the invention relates to a method for the manufacturing ofsome components and/or parts of the driving system.

In the light of the following paragraphs, referring to the encloseddrawings, it will be better understood how the above-mentionedadvantages are associated to the novel features of the invention.

More particularly, to overcome the problems existing withabove-mentioned conventional systems, it would be possible to use asealed guard 31 (see FIGS. 30 and 31, as an example) provided with anoil bath 30 that would be compatible with the use of the «Roll-Ring» 29and that would completely protect said «Roll-Ring» 29 from debris. TheApplicant already used this concept with the «Roll-Ring» 29 inapplications other that those related to the driving system for drivingan auger 7, as an example, for chain boxes useful for the main drivingof a snow blower with various ratios. The oil bath 30, 31 is also aconcept that is widely used in the field of industrial snow blowers forthe driving of the auger 7 frequently with the principle of a tandemtensioner 28 as described hereinbefore.

However, the high costs of oil bath 30, 31 is not compatible withcommercial and/or domestic snow blowers. On commercial and/or domesticsnow blowers, the roller chain 19 is protected with minimal front guard(especially provided with parts 12 and 13) and a rear guard 52 thatprotect the roller chain 19 from big objects on most of locations of theroller chain 19 but always provide an easy access via an openingprovided in the rear guard 52 (see FIG. 11 as an example) and/or thearea 53 (see FIG. 7, as an example), for the adjustment of the tensioner29 and/or the lubrication of the roller chain 19 and/or mobiles partsand/or components of the tensioner 29. The opening further defines afree space further allows to evacuate ice debris or snow and thestiffness of the concept of actual tensioners, which do not necessitateclosed environment, was up to now suitable to meet with for basic needs.

The Applicant has surprisingly discovered that is it is possible to useof a «Roll-Ring» combined with a low cost sealed guard system, in orderto obtain a major advance concerning the quality of domestic orcommercial snow removal devices, preferably blowers. The proposed newdriving system according to the invention allows an easy access to theroller chain 19 for its lubrication while protecting the «Roll-Ring» 29from all debris that would make the same derailed, without significativeincrease of the manufacturing costs of a domestic or commercial snowblowers.

The first zone to protect is located at the front of the auger housing10 (see FIG. 11 as an example), at the inside of a side of the augerhousing 10, at the left or the right of the auger 7. In most of cases,the front guard has two parts defined by a first part 12 and a secondpart 13, for accessing the shaft element 55 defining an axis of theauger 7 in order to assemble or disassemble the bearing 15 whichmaintain the auger 7 in place and for installing the roller-chain 19 onthe output gear 20 of the auger 7.

According to the prior art, the joint 51 between the first part 12 offront guard and the second part 13 of the front guard has a play ofabout more or less 1/32 of an inch (i.e. more or less one millimeter),and this is not sufficient to prevent powder snow to infiltration. Inorder to improve the joint 51, the use of modern cutting and foldingequipments allow obtaining a play of about 0.005 inch or less and thisis surprisingly sufficient to improve the joint between the first part12 of front guard and the second part 13 of the front guard to preventpowder snow infiltration. Alternatively, a rubber joint may be used toimprove the sealing of the static joint 51.

The shaft element 55 which may be provided with a circular cross section18 (see FIG. 13 as an example) or a square cross section 14 (see FIG. 11as an example), defines the main frame of the auger 7 in its axis, andpasses across the first part 12 of the front guard and the second part13 of the front guard, to connect the shaft element 55 of the auger 7 inbearings 15 secured by any appropriate fastening means, such as forexample bolts and/or screws, preferably bolts, to the lateral wall ofthe auger housing 10.

According to the prior art (see FIG. 11 as an example), the half-moonopening 32 of the first part 12 of the front guard and the second part13 of the front guard are larger than the cross-section of the shaftelement 55 in order to have a play that will prevent friction of theshaft element 55 with the first part 12 of the front guard and thesecond part 13 of the front guard (13) when turning. The play betweenthe shaft element 55 and the half-moon opening 32 is of about 0.25 to0.5 inch (about 6 to 12 millimeters), and is obviously to large to blockthe powder snow.

According to preferential methods according to the present invention,two methods can be selected, depending the cross section of the shaftelement 55 is a circle 18 or a square 14.

For the auger 7 provided with a shaft element 55 having a circularcross-section 18, a rubber, circular sealing joint 16 or any otherflexible material, comprising or not a reinforcing fabric and able to bein contact with the corresponding cylindrical surface 18 of the shaftelement 55 that rotates, without generating noise and being sufficientlysealable to stop powder snow. This circular sealing joint 16 does nothave to necessarily apply a pressure on the corresponding cylindricalsurface 18 of the shaft element 55.

In order that this circular sealing joint 16 can be easily assembled ordisassembled, the circular sealing joint 16 may be provided with a slit33 extending from the inside to the outside, perpendicularly on not tothe circle or alternatively, may be made of two distinct parts whichonce assembled, perfectly fit together. This circular sealing joint maybe fastened by any appropriate fastening means, such as bolts or screws,preferably bolts, to the first part 12 of the front guard and the secondpart 13 of the front guard ((see FIG. 13 as an example) in order toprevent its rotation. To obtain a good support and sealing between thecircular, sealing joint 16 and the first part 12 of the front guard andthe second part 13 of the front guard, two half-moon metallic pieces 17may be required and/or advantageously provided for certain models ofsnow blowers. The circular sealing joint 16 and eventually parts 17 maybe fastened to the front guard with any type of fasteners, such asmechanical fasteners, adhesive, etc., preferably with bolts 34.

For the auger 7 having a shaft element 55 having a square cross-section14 (see FIG. 15 as an example), two haft-moon parts 23) made of plasticmaterial or any other material sufficiently resistant to coldtemperature and impacts, are added to the shaft element 55, to form whenfacing one to the other, a resulting filling element having an exteriorform defining a cylindrical surface provided with a groove 35 in itscenter over all the circumference, and an inner shape 36 that iscoincident for each part 23 to one half of the shaft element 55 having asquare cross-section.

Mechanical fastener, such as bolts 24 can be used to joint these partstogether, the joint connecting these two parts being positioned at thecenter of two of the four flats portions of a square tube defining theshaft element 55 of the auger 7, opposed to each other. The openings forthe bolts 24 are aligned on the center of the circumference and on oneof both openings. An undercutting may be provided to completely housethe head of the bolt 24 under the groove 35. The groove 35 of bothpieces 23 are aligned on the second part 13 of the front and the bolts24 are tightened in place. Then, the first part 12 of the front guardwill be fastened by any appropriate fastening means, such as mechanicalfastener, adhesive, preferably bolted with bolts on the lateral wall ofthe auger housing 10, applied against the second part 13 of the frontguard, to thus complete the tight closure to snow or other debris aroundthe shaft element 55 of the auger 7 having a square cross-section 14.

Two others non-preferential methods can be used to seal with shaftelement 55 of the auger 7 having a square cross-section, are describedhereinbelow.

The first, in order to seat the sealing joint 16 described hereinbefore(see FIG. 13 as an example) for the shaft element 55 having a circularcross section 18, two half-moon parts 25 made of plastic or any othermaterial that is sufficiently resistant to cold temperature or impacts(see FIG. 21 as an example), are added to the shaft element 55 having asquare cross-section 14, in two parts, with an outer shape cylindrical37 and devoided of a groove, and an inner shape «coincident» with onehalf of the shaft element 55 of the auger 7 having a square crosssection 36, these parts being facing to each other. In order to jointheses parts 25 with two bolts 24, the joint connecting the two partsare positioned at the center of two of the four flat of the shaftelement 55 having a square cross-section 14 opposite to each other. Theopenings for the bolts 24 are positioned to avoid the first part 12 ofthe front guard and the second part 13 of the front guard and thecircular sealing joint 16.

The second, (see FIG. 22 as an example), in order to seat the sealingjoint 16 described hereinabove, a piece of metal 26 having the samecharacteristics that the shaft element of the auger 7) is fastened,preferably welded, at the end of the shaft element 55 with in addition,a cylindrical collar 37 on its exterior and square in its interior 38,in the same axis that the shaft element 55 having a square cross section14, preferably manufactured from the piece of metal defining the shaftelement 55. This piece is more compact and stiff that precedingsolutions, but necessitate obtaining a more onerous piece tomanufacture, thus applicable to models having a slightly higher quality.

At the rear of the snow blower (see FIG. 25 as an example), the exposureto snow and other debris is less intense, and thus necessitate a lowerdegree of clogging. However, the most important contaminants originatefrom the wheels 54 of the carrying vehicle (see FIG. 7 as an example)which while moving on the road, project sands, salts, de-icing productsor mud (e.g. a mixture of salt and/or wetted sand and snow). Tosufficiently seal this part, the rear guard comprises at leasttwo-parts, that is a main part 41 may be provided with a minimal buteasily dismountable second part 39 to allow an easy access to the rollerchain 19 and to the «Roll-Ring» 29. To allow a quickinstallation/deinstallation of this part 39 of the rear guard 41, twopositioning notches 42 are added at the base of the actual rear guard 41in order to insert therein two tongues 43 making part of the part 39,with a sufficient play to allow to freely incline this part 39 from theleft to the right. According to this way, a visual and quick access ispossible. If it becomes necessary to completely remove the part 39, itis only necessary to lift the part 39 to remove the tongues 43 from thenotches 42.

To maintain the upper portion of the part 39 and secure it into anoperational way, a system comprising a flexible tongue 40 cut out in theupper portion of the part 39 cooperating with a notch allowing to passtherethrough a rigid tongue 44 cut out from the existing rear guard 41,provided with a support on each side 56 and with a clearance 57vis-à-vis the underneath of the tongue 40 of the part 39 in order toclear a necessary space allowing the tongue 40 of the part 39 to bentuntil liberating the opening 46 positioned slightly under the naturalsurface of the part 39. While releasing the tongue 40 of the part 39,the tongue comes contacting the pin 45 and creates a tension by thenatural resistance of the metal and accordingly the pin 45 and the part39 are always under tension to avoid vibration noise that may impair theoperator and the resident of the sector where the snow blower isoperating.

Inside this semi-sealed environment of economical manufacture, the useof a «Roll-Ring» 29 becomes possible in replacement of all othertensioning systems. However, in some cases, the tension of a «Roll-Ring»29 may be insufficient to cover a large range of tension adjustments,especially when the length of the roller chain is important. Because thedistance between the output gear 20 of the shaft element 55 and thedriving gear 21 connected to a driving shaft 5 (see FIG. 7 as anexample) may vary slightly from an equipment to another and because theroller chain 19 may become worn and elongated at a certain speed, thesole installation of a «Roll-Ring» 19 may be insufficient to cover thewhole range of elongation of the rolled-chain 19. Old systems (see FIGS.8, 9, 10, 30 and 31, as an example) cover sufficient ranges to adjustthe roller chain 19 to the removal of a complete link when possible. Theadjustment range of old systems cover more that the equivalent of onecomplete link.

To overcome this problem, a chain diverter system 47 (see FIG. 18 as anexample) adjustable with tools may be added to reposition the path ofthe roller chain 19 proportionally to its wear by providing a sufficientdegree of movement to allow an adjustment of the roll chain of acomplete link.

According to a preferential embodiment of the present invention (seeFIG. 18 as an example), the use of block provided made from a materialhaving a low resistance to friction, or provided with a coating or aninsert of a material having a low resistance to friction, preferably aTeflon® block 47) is preferred. This block 47 comprises a curve 48adapted to the size of the roller chain 19 to offer a smooth contact ofthe links of the roller chain 19. The block 47 is provided with twoopenings 49 that may be aligned with a set of openings 50 provided inthe frame and/or the auger housing of the snow blower, and positionedaccording to a ladder. These openings 49 are positioned at the center ofthe block 47 and the block 47 is sized in such a way to always cover theopenings positioned along the ladder containing openings 50 provided inthe frame or the lateral wall of the auger housing. According to thisway, the block 47 will block openings 50 and prevent the snow to reachthe roller chain 19, the «Roll-Ring» 29, the output gear 20 and thedriving gear 21.

It is understood that the replacement of the block 47 (see FIG. 18, asan example) by a free sprocket wheel 58, turning on a ball bearing maybe a good deviation solution. Also, in certain other cases, anadjustment with oblong openings 59 provided in the lateral wall of theauger housing, may allow to move the shaft element 55 of the auger 7from the front to the rear, may be sufficient to compensate the lengthof the roller chain 19 of a chain link. In this later case, anadjustment with oblong openings on the first part 12 of the front guardand the second part 13 of the front guard will be necessary to allow thedisplacement of the sealing joint simultaneously with the shaft element55 of the auger 7. Also, in this case, the auger 7 would furthercomprise tensioners that will hold the auger 7 in place once adjustedbecause violent impacts may move the auger 7 backwardly and distort theadjustment. It may be understood that this last option is notpreferential.

The invention also relates to a method for the installation of a drivingsystem as on the snow removal device. The method comprises the steps of:

-   -   rotatably mounting on the frame or the auger housing 10 the        driving gear 21 adapted to be rotatably supported by the frame        or the auger housing 10;    -   mounting the at least one output gear adapted to be mounted on        the shaft element 55 of the auger 7;    -   installing the roller chain 19 to link the driving gear 21 and        the output gear 20;    -   installing the Roll-Ring 29;    -   removably securing the front guard to the first lateral wall to        form with the first lateral wall the first casing to prevent        snow or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said        first portion;    -   removably securing to the frame the rear guard to cover the        second portion and to prevent snow or debris present around the        snow removing device to contact the said second portion; and    -   optionally providing a third opening in the auger housing;    -   a first portion of the driving system for driving the auger 7        being positioned within the auger housing 10 and a second        portion of the driving system for driving the auger 7 being        positioned outside the auger housing 10,    -   the roller chain 19 being adapted to be moved across the third        opening of the auger housing 10.

The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of componentsand/or parts of the driving system. More particularly, parts 12, 13, 16,17 and 23 of the front guard and parts 39 and 41 of the rear guard canbe manufactured by any appropriate techniques, especially by folding,cutting or molding a piece of material, preferably by folding andcutting sheets of metal, preferably sheets of steel and more preferablystainless steel.

Finally, according to the present invention, the snow blower and itscorresponding parts and/or components are preferably made ofsubstantially rigid material, such as metallic materials (e.g. steel,stainless steel, etc.), hardened polymer, composite materials, and/orany other appropriate materials, while other parts and/or components ofthe system according to the invention, in order to obtain theabove-mentioned advantages, may be made of any appropriate materials,such as polymeric materials (e.g. plastic, rubber, etc.), and/or anyother appropriate materials, depending of the particular uses for whichthe system is designed and of various parameters involved, as it wouldbe obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Even if the present invention was hereinabove explained with referenceto preferred embodiments, it is to be noted that any modification tothese preferred embodiments is not considered modifying or altering thenature and the scope of the present invention. Indeed, all claimsdefined hereinafter, must receive the broadest interpretation that isconform to the whole description.

1. A driving system for driving at least one auger of a snow removing device, said snow removing device comprising: a frame an auger housing supported on the frame or being part of the frame, and comprising a first opening defining a front opening, a second opening defining a rear opening, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall; an auger comprising a shaft element having opposite ends which are respectively rotatably supported by the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall; means adapted for attaching the frame to a vehicle; and the driving system for driving the at least one auger, said driving system for driving the at least one auger comprising at least one driving gear rotatably supported by the frame; at least one output gear mounted on the shaft element of the at least one auger, close one of the first lateral wall of the auger housing; a roller chain linking the at least one driving gear and the at least one output gear; and at least one means for tensioning the roller chain comprising at least one self-adjusting chain tensioner; wherein a first portion of the driving system for driving the at least one auger is positioned within the auger housing and a second portion of the driving system for driving the at least one auger is positioned outside the auger housing, wherein the roller chain is adapted to move across a third opening provided in the auger housing; wherein the first portion is covered by a front guard secured to the first lateral wall and forming with the first lateral wall a first casing adapted to prevent snow or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said first portion; wherein the front guard is provided with at least one opening adapted to surround a portion of the shaft element of the at least one auger with a play between periphery of the at least one opening and the periphery of a corresponding portion the corresponding shaft element, wherein the play is either small enough to prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled with a filling element and/or covered with a sealing element secured to the front guard or the corresponding portion of the shaft element of the at least one auger, to have the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing; and wherein the second portion is covered by at least one rear guard forming a casing secured to the frame and/or the auger housing, and adapted to prevent snow or debris present around the snow removing device to contact the said second portion.
 2. The driving system according to claim 1, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blower further provided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan element positioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by the blower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fan element.
 3. The driving system according to claim 1, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensioner comprises at least one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.
 4. The driving system according to claim 3, wherein the at least one means for tensioning the roller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.
 5. The driving system according to claim 3, wherein the filing element comprises a two-part member adapted to be secured around the portion of the shaft element of the at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at least one opening of the front guard, wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to fit with the outer surface of the shaft element of the at least one auger, and has an outer periphery adapted to be housed in the at least one opening of the front guard; and wherein either a play between said outer surface and the periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing, or the play is covered by at least one sealing element that reduce the play to a size small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.
 6. The driving system according to claim 3, wherein the front guard comprises: a first part provided with a front edge having at least one first recess, a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one second recess, the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess forming, when the front edge and the rear edge are closed to each other, the at least one opening adapted to surround the shaft element of the at least one auger; and wherein the front edge and the rear edge are close enough to define a play therebetween that is either small enough to prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled and/or covered with a sealing element secured to any one of the first part or the second part to have the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.
 7. The driving system according to claim 3, wherein the rear guard comprises at least two distinct parts, that is a main part and secondary part that is removably fastened to the main part.
 8. A snow removing device comprising: a frame an auger housing supported on the frame and comprising a first opening defining a front opening, a second opening defining a rear opening, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall; at least one auger comprising a shaft element having opposite ends which are respectively rotatably supported by the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall; and a driving system for driving the at least one auger, wherein said driving system for driving the auger is as defined in claim
 1. 9. The snow removing device according to claim 8, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blower further provided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan element positioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by the blower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fan element.
 10. The snow removing device according to claim 9, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensioner comprises at least one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.
 11. The snow removing device according to claim 10, wherein the at least one means for tensioning the roller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.
 12. The snow removing device according to claim 9, wherein the filing element comprises a two-part member adapted to be secured around the portion of the shaft element of the at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at least one opening of the front guard, wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to fit an outer surface of the shaft element of the at least one auger, and an outer cylindrical periphery adapted to be housed in the at least one opening of the guard cover; and wherein either a play between said outer surface and the periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing, or the play is covered by at least one sealing element that reduce the play to a size small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.
 13. The snow removing device according to claim 9, wherein the front cover comprises: a first part provided with a front edge having at least one first recess, a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one second recess, the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess forming, when the front edge and the rear edge are closed to each other, the at least one opening adapted to surround the shaft element of the at least one auger; and wherein the front edge and the rear edge are close enough to define a play therebetween that is either small enough to prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled with a filling element and/or covered with a sealing element secured to any one of the first part or the second part to have the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.
 14. The snow removing device according to claim 10, wherein the rear guard comprises at least two distinct parts, that is a main part and secondary part that is removably fastened to the main part.
 15. A kit for the installation of a driving system as defined in claim 1, wherein said kit comprises: at least one driving gear adapted to be rotatably supported by the frame and/or the auger housing; at least one output gear adapted to be mounted on the shaft element of the at least one auger; a roller chain linking for the linking of the at least one driving gear and the at least one output gear; and at least one means for the tensioning the roller chain comprising at least one self-adjusting chain tensioner; a front guard adapted to be secured to the first lateral wall to form with the first lateral wall a first casing to prevent snow or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said first portion; a rear guard adapted to be secured to the frame and/or the auger housing to prevent snow or debris present around the snow removing device to contact the said second portion; and optionally a notice of instruction.
 16. The kit according to claim 15, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blower further provided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan element positioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by the blower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fan element.
 17. The kit system according to claim 16, wherein the self-adjusting chain tensioner comprises at least one Roll-Ring® chain tensioner.
 18. The kit system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one means for the tensioning the roller chain further comprises a secondary chain tensioner.
 19. The kit according to claim 17, further comprising a filling element comprising a two-part member adapted to be secured around the portion of the shaft element of the at least one auger that is intended to be positioned in the at least one opening of the front guard, wherein said filling element has a central opening configured to fit an outer surface of the shaft element of the at least one auger, and an outer cylindrical periphery adapted to be housed in the at least one opening of the guard cover; and wherein either a play between said outer surface and the periphery of the at least one opening of the guard cover, is small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing, or the play is covered by at least one sealing element that reduce the play to a size small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.
 20. The kit according to any one of claim 17, wherein the front guard comprises: a first part provided with a front edge having at least one first recess, a second part provided with a rear edge having at least one second recess, the at least one first recess and the at least one second recess are adapted to form, when the front edge and the rear edge are closed to each other, the at least one opening adapted to surround the shaft element of the at least one auger; and wherein the front edge and the rear edge are close enough to define a play therebetween that is either small enough to prevent water and or debris to enter the first casing, or filled with a filling element and/or covered with a sealing element secured to any one of the first part or the second part to have the play small enough to prevent water and/or debris to enter the first casing.
 21. The driving system according to claim 17, wherein the rear guard comprises at least two distinct parts, that is a main part and secondary part that is removably fastened to the main part.
 22. A method for the installation of a driving system as defined in claim 1 on the snow removal device, the method comprising the steps of: rotatably mounting on the frame or the auger housing the at least one driving gear adapted to be rotatably supported by the frame or the auger housing; mounting the at least one output gear adapted to be mounted on the shaft element of the at least one auger; installing the roller chain to link the at least one driving gear and the at least one output gear; installing the at least one means for the tensioning the roller chain; removably securing the first guard to the first lateral wall to form with the first lateral wall the first casing to prevent snow or debris contained in the auger housing to contact said first portion; removably securing to the frame the second guard to cover the second portion and to prevent snow or debris present around the snow removing device to contact the said second portion; and optionally providing a third opening in the auger housing; a first portion of the driving system for driving the auger being positioned within the auger housing and a second portion of the driving system for driving the auger being positioned outside the auger housing, the roller chain being adapted to be moved across the third opening of the auger housing.
 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the snow removing device is a snow blower further provided with a blower unit comprising an impeller fan element positioned inside a blower housing, and rotatably supported by the blower housing; and a driving system for driving the impeller fan element. 